Host Spotlight: Mick White | Purpose Fueled Viking Lakes
Mick White started Purpose Fueled. But every month, he shows up as a host. This is him. Unfiltered.
Most people know Mick White as the founder of Purpose Fueled. What they may not know is that every single month, he shows up early, sets up tables and chairs, and hosts at Viking Lakes. We gave him the same form we give every host. His answers are below, exactly as he wrote them.
When did you first walk through the door? What brought you here?
January 2023. After hundreds (or maybe thousands) of coffees and meetings over the years, helping people individually, the thought was — “what if we all gathered as a community and had these conversations – together?”
I love helping people. Period. That’s who I am. It’s what I love. Purpose Fueled helps people. It’s really that simple.
What made you say yes to hosting?
I was finishing up a season where I spoke in 5 countries in 5 months. Flying back from Thailand, I thought to myself — there has to be a better way. My son missed me. I missed him. And from the speaker stage, I didn’t get to connect with people the way I wanted. Real transformation happens in community.
I believe you’re never “ready” and it’s just time. After a decade of a really heavy season of life, it was just time. To share the lessons. To provide a space to amplify others. To do business (and life) differently.
What’s your favorite moment you’ve witnessed in the room?
Oh man, there are thousands of beautiful memories over the past 3 1/2 years. Tears. Laughs. Deep, immediate connections.
Perhaps one of my favorites selfishly, is watching the community surround my son Macallister every month – with love, conversations, encouragement, and joy. Once a month at 5:45 he gets up and joins me at Purpose Fueled. And every month, he’s poured into. He lives Purpose Fueled full of joy, excitement, and questions. We have AMAZING conversations each month after the event. Sharing with him the joys, the pains, the mistakes, and the successes – it’s been the greatest feeling as a Dad.
The life you live is the lesson you teach. I’m thankful for all the lessons the Purpose Fueled community teaches my son Macallister.
What’s something about being a host that surprised you?
The time goes SO FAST each month. I always wish I could ask another 3 hours of questions. We’ve had so many amazing Special Guests at Purpose Fueled | Viking Lakes – Nikki Peters, Jennifer Zick, Kendall Harrell, Patrick Flanagan, Aaron Eggert, Ryan Pacyga, Carrie Heimer, and Christopher Thomas. I’m honored to share the stage with such incredible humans.
What’s one thing you’d tell someone who has never been to Purpose Fueled?
If you’re searching for more. If you’re searching for something different. If you’re searching for community, deep connections, and real talk. Purpose Fueled is for you.
What’s your favorite part of being a host?
I love when a Special Guest shares something they weren’t expecting to share. It’s real, personal, and powerful. That’s usually the best part of the whole morning. You can tell how personal the story is that they are sharing. The unplanned conversation gets to a place where the real impact happens. Those are the moments that make being a Host really, really special.
What do people not see? What happens behind the scenes?
We have two team members dedicated to the Purpose Fueled experience. The logistics of four locations. The communication. All of it. Hours upon hours of work each week and each month. We couldn’t do this without Elena & April.
And…if you’re looking for amazing humans to work with on your own company and projects, check out Elena’s Quiet Ops company and April’s graphic design work.
What do you want every single person who walks through the door to feel?
That they feel seen deeply. That their story matters. That no matter what season in life they are in, we are in this – together. And, I want them to walk out feeling refreshed, full of hope, and with a commitment to taking action.
Why is your location the best location ever?
Monica Swanson & Michelle Collier have such an incredible way of making people feel special the moment they walk in the door at Purpose Fueled. The way they handle the Welcome Table is so topnotch.
At Viking Lakes, we get there early to set up. All the tables, chairs, coffee – all of it. And the team operates so efficiently and with such joy. 6:30 once a month Peder Melin, Christopher Couillard, Jarrett Yehlen, and Luke Melin show up and get the job done.
What are you most excited about for your location in the coming months?
My personal goal is to transition this to another host this fall. Purpose Fueled is bigger than me and I believe a measure in success in it when it succeeds without me being there. I want to attend the other locations and spend more time connecting with all the attendees, helping all the Hosts be better, and continuing to elevate the experience all around.
Who are some of your upcoming guest speakers?
July – Ben Anderson, President of Dunn Brothers
August – Shari Erdman, CEO of Reell Precision Manufacturing
What’s the title of your next chapter?
All-in, no regrets.
What don’t people know about you that they should?
I’m currently finishing up my Master’s of Arts in Innovation in Leadership & Ministry from Luther Seminary. My undergraduate degree from Knox College was in History & Education. I always wanted to be a college history professor. That was the dream job for me.
I’m all-in on fatherhood. I’m willing to sacrifice professional ‘success’ in order to be the absolute best dad I can be. That’s my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal).
And, humbly, I’m just a guy trying to do his best in life. Making mistakes. Learning lessons. Being better (hopefully) today than I was yesterday and not as good as I’ll be tomorrow.
How do your best friends, kids, or family describe you?
My son calls me Dad Ultimate. Clients call me Yoda. My Dad and sisters Molly & Michelle, they just call me Mick. They hopefully describe me as someone who lives out his faith – truly – every single moment of every single day.
Who are the types of people you really love meeting?
People with big hearts who are pursuing living out their calling – even if they don’t know what that calling is yet.
And, companies who are all-in on doing business differently – doing business better.
If there’s one thing you could help people in this community with, what would it be?
We help healthy organizations run on Purpose. If people need help with their companies, we are always honored to have the conversation.
Mick White is the Founder of Purpose Fueled and hosts monthly at Viking Lakes | Vikings Museum in Eagan, MN. Purpose Fueled events happen once a month across four Twin Cities locations. Find your people at purposefueled.community.